Ashworth: West Brom determined to learn from transfer mistakes of two years ago

West Bromwich Albion chief Dan Ashworth has revealed the thinking that went behind their summer market campaign.

West Bromwich Albion chief Dan Ashworth has revealed the thinking that went behind their summer market campaign.

Ashworth admits they were determined not to repeat the mistakes of two summers ago.

“We had to learn our lessons from two years ago, not least with the balance of experience and personnel,” Ashworth told the Birmingham Mail.

“Our midfield at the time, for instance, included players who were mainly around 5ft 9ins, great technical footballers but not physically big.

“This time we wanted the right blend - those with potential, mixed with players of proven Premier League experience. We had good days and bad during the window.

“A lot of supporters think it’s like Championship Manager - I press a button and buy him, I press another button and sell him.

“Yet it’s so far away from that and it’s incredibly frustrating.

“You think you’re close to getting one and it doesn’t happen.

“Others you’re a long way from getting and, all of a sudden, they become available, such as Paul Scharner who was our number one choice for that position yet by the time we’d signed him we’d been looking at our numbers two and three for that position.”